d mocking him, while they
described the various tortures for which he must be prepared. One of
the unfortunate victim's companions was, in the meantime, held, with his
hands bound behind him, and made a witness to his sufferings. The
savages, as they danced round and round him, stooped down and pricked
him with daggers and knives, taking good care not to wound him mortally.
Next one of the wretches, seizing his knife, cut his scalp from off his
head; while others brought some burning embers of wood and placed them
on his breast.

But I see no advantage in further mentioning the diabolical cruelties
practised by these savages of which Piomingo told us. Far removed from
the benign influences of Christianity, these red men only acted
according to the impulses of their barbarous nature. The thought came
upon me with great force, Is it not the duty of white men who are
Christians to send the blessed light of the gospel, by every means in
their power, to their benighted fellow-creatures? They have souls as we
have, and they are as capable of receiving the truths of the gospel as
we are. Bold, energetic men, imbued with the love of souls, are
required, who, ready to sacrifice all the enjoyments of civilisation,
will cast themselves fearlessly among the native tribes, and by patience
and perseverance endeavour to induce them to listen to the message of
reconciliation, and to imitate the example of Him who died for them.

I spoke earnestly and faithfully to Piomingo of this, and I was thankful
to find that he listened not only willingly but eagerly to what I said.

"Yes," he exclaimed at length, "I see that you are right. Although some
white men have set us a bad example, it is no reason that all should do
so. The truths about which you speak are independent of man. There
must be bad white men as well as bad red men; but I am sure that those
who follow the example of Him of whom you tell me, the Son of the Great
Spirit, must be good men. I will try to follow him, and when we get
back, you must tell me more about him."

I gladly promised to do so, and was thankful for this opportunity of
speaking to Piomingo.

Before starting next morning we sent a message to the sergeant, begging
him to keep as close to the foot of the mountain as possible, as we were
sure the enemy could not have gone far up; indeed, their trail led along
the lower part of the side. They had taken this direction, probably, in
order that they mig